Farmerville, Louisiana
Encyclopedia
Farmerville is a town in and the parish seat of Union Parish
, Louisiana
, United States
. The population was 3,808 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is spread about Lake D'Arbonne, a popular fishing and boating waterway.
The Pilgrim's Pride
poultry
processing and protein conversion plant in Farmerville was slated for closure early in 2009, along with other company operations in nearby Arcadia
in Bienville Parish, Athens
in Claiborne Parish
, and Choudrant
in Union Parish
. The closures impacted some 1,300 jobs in North Louisiana. Several weeks later, however, Pilgrim's Pride accepted an $80 million offer from Foster Farms
of California
to purchase the operations. In addition, to the 1,300 direct jobs, the purchase spares the small farms of some three hundred independent growers. Foster Farms put up $40 million and the State of Louisiana a matching $40 million. Foster Farms will further invest $10 million in capital improvements at the Farmerville plant, to be matched by the state, in an agreement announced by Governor Bobby Jindal
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), of which, 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.72%) is water.
of 2000, there were 3,808 people, 1,366 households, and 932 families residing in the town. The population density
was 691.7 people per square mile (266.8/km²). There were 1,554 housing units at an average density of 282.3 per square mile (108.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 34.03% White, 63.52% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races
, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.
There were 1,366 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples
living together, 28.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,598, and the median income for a family was $26,756. Males had a median income of $26,798 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,258. About 23.3% of families and 30.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.3% of those under age 18 and 27.5% of those age 65 or over.
Union Parish, Louisiana
Union Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Farmerville....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,808 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town is spread about Lake D'Arbonne, a popular fishing and boating waterway.
The Pilgrim's Pride
Pilgrim's Pride
Pilgrim's Corp., previously Pilgrim's Pride , is a former U.S.-owned company with its U.S. headquarters relocated to Greeley, Colorado. As a subsidiary of the Brazilian food giant, JBS, it is the largest chicken producer in the United States and Puerto Rico and the second-largest chicken producer...
poultry
Poultry
Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...
processing and protein conversion plant in Farmerville was slated for closure early in 2009, along with other company operations in nearby Arcadia
Arcadia, Louisiana
Arcadia is a town in and the parish seat of Bienville Parish in north Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,041 at the 2000 census....
in Bienville Parish, Athens
Athens, Louisiana
Athens is a village in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.The Pilgrim's Pride poultry hatchery in Athens was designated for closure early in 2009, along with other company businesses in nearby Arcadia in Bienville Parish, Choudrant in Lincoln...
in Claiborne Parish
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Claiborne Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Homer and as of 2000, the population is 16,851.-History:The parish is named for the first Louisiana governor, William C. C. Claiborne....
, and Choudrant
Choudrant, Louisiana
Choudrant is a village in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 582 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.Former U.S...
in Union Parish
Lincoln Parish, Louisiana
Lincoln Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Ruston. In 2004, its population was estimated to be 42,382...
. The closures impacted some 1,300 jobs in North Louisiana. Several weeks later, however, Pilgrim's Pride accepted an $80 million offer from Foster Farms
Foster Farms
Foster Farms may refer to:* Foster Farms , based in Livingston, California* Foster Farms Dairy, based in Modesto, California...
of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to purchase the operations. In addition, to the 1,300 direct jobs, the purchase spares the small farms of some three hundred independent growers. Foster Farms put up $40 million and the State of Louisiana a matching $40 million. Foster Farms will further invest $10 million in capital improvements at the Farmerville plant, to be matched by the state, in an agreement announced by Governor Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal is the 55th and current Governor of Louisiana and formerly a member of the United States House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party....
.
Geography
Farmerville is located at 32°46′25"N 92°24′15"W (32.773736, -92.404257).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 5.6 square miles (14.5 km²), of which, 5.5 square miles (14.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.72%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,808 people, 1,366 households, and 932 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 691.7 people per square mile (266.8/km²). There were 1,554 housing units at an average density of 282.3 per square mile (108.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 34.03% White, 63.52% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.
There were 1,366 households out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 28.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,598, and the median income for a family was $26,756. Males had a median income of $26,798 versus $19,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $12,258. About 23.3% of families and 30.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 44.3% of those under age 18 and 27.5% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Residents are assigned to Union Parish Public Schools.- Farmerville Elementary School
- Farmerville Junior High School
- Farmerville High School
- Union Christian Academy
- Darbonne Woods Charter School
Notable people
- Donovan ChapmanDonovan ChapmanDonovan Chapman is an American country music artist. he has recorded two studio albums: one on Curb Records, and one on Category 5 Records...
, Country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist - Hollis DownsHollis DownsHollis H. Downs is a finance professor at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, and a retiring Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 12 ....
, retiring state representative from Lincoln and Union parishes, born in Farmerville in 1946 - James Walter ElderJames Walter ElderJames Walter Elder was a United States Representative from Louisiana. He was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. He attended the public schools, and Baylor University, Waco, Texas 1895-1901...
, was a member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and a mayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Farmerville - William C. FeazelWilliam C. FeazelWilliam Crosson Feazel was a short-term United States Senator from Louisiana. Born near Farmerville, the seat of Union Parish, he attended the public schools and engaged as an independent oil and natural gas producer....
, interim U.S. Senator in 1948; member of the Louisiana House of RepresentativesLouisiana State LegislatureThe Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from Ouachita ParishOuachita Parish, Louisiana-National protected areas:* Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge* D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 147,250 people, 55,216 households, and 38,319 families residing in the parish. The population density was 241 people per square mile...
from 1932–1936; father-in-law of former state Representative Shady R. WallShady WallShady Robert Wall was a banker and philanthropist from West Monroe, Louisiana, who served nonconsecutively as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1948–1956 and 1968-1984. Wall is remembered for his colorful dress, speeding in his Rolls Royce, flamboyant personality,...
of West MonroeWest Monroe, LouisianaWest Monroe is a city in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 13,250 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area.... - K.D. KilpatrickK.D. KilpatrickKenneth Dale Kilpatrick, Sr., known as K.D. Kilpatrick , was a funeral home owner in Ruston, Louisiana, who served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate for a single term from 1972 to 1976...
, mortician and former member of the Louisiana State SenateLouisiana State LegislatureThe Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators... - Fred PreausFred PreausFrederick T. Preaus, known as Fred Preaus , was a businessman and politician in the U.S. state of Louisiana, a native of Farmerville, the seat of Union Parish near the Arkansas state line...
(1912–1987), automobile dealer and timber businessman in Farmerville, state highway director (1952–1955), gubernatorial candidate in 1956 - Don ShowsDon ShowsDonald Harrison Shows, known as Don Shows , is a champion high school and college football coach who since 1989 has directed the West Monroe High School Rebels in West Monroe, Louisiana. On June 25, 2011, Shows will be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, located in Natchitoches...
, championship football coach, formerly at Farmerville High School - Lee Emmett ThomasLee Emmett ThomasLee Emmett Thomas was an attorney and banker who served as the mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, from 1922–1930. He was also from 1912–1916 the Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives.-Background:...
(1866–1935), the mayor of ShreveportShreveport, LouisianaShreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana. It is the principal city of the fourth largest metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana and is the 109th-largest city in the United States....
from 1922–1930 and Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1912–1916, practiced law in Farmerville from 1889-1896.
- Harvey G. Fields, graduate of Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisiana Tech UniversityLouisiana Tech University, often referred to as Louisiana Tech, LA Tech, or Tech, is a coeducational public research university located in Ruston, Louisiana. Louisiana Tech is designated as a Tier 1 school in the national universities category by the 2012 U.S. News & World Report college rankings...
and Tulane University Law SchoolTulane University Law SchoolTulane University Law School is the law school of Tulane University. It is located on Tulane's Uptown campus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Established in 1847, it is the 12th oldest law school in the United States....
. Town Alderman, 1904, Louisiana State Senator 1916-1920, District Attorney 1920-1924, Chairman of the Louisiana State Democratic Central Committee, four-time delegate to the Democratic National ConventionDemocratic National ConventionThe Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, Democratic National Convention Rules Committee Member 1945, Louisiana Public Service CommissionLouisiana Public Service CommissionLouisiana Public Service Commission is an independent regulatory agency which manages public utilities and motor carriers in Louisiana. The commission has five elected members chosen in single-member districts for staggered six-year terms...
er 1928-1936 (PSC chairman 1932-1936), Federal Prosecutor for the Western District of Louisiana 1937-1941, Chairman of the Ouachita Valley Farmers Association, Law partner of Huey LongHuey LongHuey Pierce Long, Jr. , nicknamed The Kingfish, served as the 40th Governor of Louisiana from 1928–1932 and as a U.S. Senator from 1932 to 1935. A Democrat, he was noted for his radical populist policies. Though a backer of Franklin D...
and Earl LongEarl LongEarl Kemp Long was an American politician and the 45th Governor of Louisiana for three non-consecutive terms. Long termed himself the "last of the red hot poppas" of politics, referring to his stump-speaking skills...
and Robert O'Neal. 52-year member of the Union Parish bar association. Visitor to the Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, TennesseeDayton, TennesseeDayton is a city in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 6,180 at the 2000 census. The Dayton, TN, Urban Cluster, which includes developed areas adjacent to the city and extends south to Graysville, Tennessee, had 9,050 people in 2000...
in 1925.
- Nick White, co-host of Fox and Company on ESPN 97.7 FM and play by play commentator for University of Louisiana-Monroe Basketball
External links
- Town of Farmerville
- Farmerville Progress Community Progress Site for Farmerville, LA